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Government will spend $70 million to improve the sewerage systems in 97 primary schools across the island, this fiscal year. The sum, which is contained in the 2015/2016 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives, will be used to complete works under phase one of the project by April this year. This includes 52 schools in the parishes...

During the fiscal year 2015/2016, the Government will be undertaking further work to improve the regulation of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector, as part of measures to increase growth in the industry. This will be done under the Enhancing the ICT Regulatory Environment project, for which $3.9 million has been allocated in the Estimates of Expenditure, now before...

The country’s crime fighting capabilities will be boosted with the injection of $50 million to support the effort under the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Reform Programme. This is contained in the 2015/16 Estimates of Expenditure, currently before the House of Representatives. Anticipated targets for the 2015/16 fiscal year include Consolidated Fund payment for activities completed in the 2014/15 financial year,...

The Ministry of Health is to spend $1.71 billion under the Health Services Improvement Project, so as to facilitate improved service delivery in the public health system. This is contained in the 2015/16 Estimates of Expenditure, tabled in the House of Representatives on February 19 by Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips. The targets for the...

In a move to further boost technology in education, the Government has allocated more than $950 million for the Technology Infrastructure and Support Services programme. Under the initiative, being implemented by the E-Learning Project, $250 million will go to the Ministry of Education for computer support services and staff training, while $700 million is earmarked for the Tablets in School...

A sum of $51 million has been allocated in the 2015/16 Estimates of Expenditure, now before Parliament, to continue development of the Electronic Government Procurement system. The project, which commenced in 2011, is intended to strengthen the efficiency and quality of Jamaica’s public procurement process. This, through development of an electronic  system for government procuring and tendering agencies and suppliers,...

An allocation of $8.6 million has been earmarked in the 2015/16 Estimates of Expenditure, currently before Parliament, to commence development of the institutional and regulatory framework for Jamaica’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT)/Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry. The initiative aims to improve the sector’s competitiveness, and sustained growth. Envisaged targets include: development of a national ICT/BPO Policy; establishing an information...

The Ministry of Finance and Planning will continue implementation of the Caribbean Criminal Asset Recovery Programme (CCARP), for which just over $35 million has been allocated in the 2015/16 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House. The programme, which commenced in January 2013, is designed to support strengthening of the Financial Investigations Division (FID) by providing technical assistance to build...

The Government has allocated $370.2 million in the 2015/16 Estimates of Expenditure towards the implementation of the Public Sector Transformation and Modernisation Programme. The Estimates were tabled in the House of Representatives on Thursday, February 19 by Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips. One of the main objectives of the programme include increasing the capacity and...

Completion of the Joint Select Committee’s review of the Integrity Commission Bill is one of several key legislative engagements slated to be undertaken during 2015/16. This was announced by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, while delivering the Throne Speech, under the theme: ‘Partnership for Development: Inclusive Growth…Expanding Opportunities’, during the 2015/16 State Opening of Parliament on...

The country’s energy programme will be boosted in 2015/16 through the modernisation of infrastructure, including the development of a smart grid, and regulating provisions for the treatment of renewable and alternative energy. This was disclosed by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, while delivering the Throne Speech on Thursday, February 19, at Gordon House. “Power purchase agreements...

Fifteen thousand land titles will be delivered to Jamaicans through the Land Administration and Management Programme (LAMP) during the new legislative year. Delivering the Throne Speech at Gordon House on February 19, Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, said the delivery of titles in part of the Government’s thrust to create an ownership society. LAMP aims to...